Comparison

HCC2D Decoder vs Ham Imaging

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side β€” with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

HCC2D Decoder

Features
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This app allows you to scan and decode HCC2D and QR code symbols using your mobile camera. It is based on advanced research in high-capacity barcode technologies and provides reliable decoding. Key features: * Decode HCC2D color codes. * Full support for standard QR codes. * Real-time scanning using the camera. * Robust detection and error correction. * No ads and no registration required. HCC2D is a color two-dimensional code format that increases data capacity compared to traditional QR codes while preserving their structure. By using multiple colors, each module can encode more information, enabling higher data density in a compact symbol. The app captures images, detects barcode regions, corrects perspective distortions, and analyzes color or intensity patterns to reconstruct the encoded data. To transfer files from a desktop computer to your smartphone via a stream of HCC2D codes, use HCC2D Decoder together with the HCC2D Streamer desktop companion app. Notes: HCC2D codes can be created using the official online generator at hcc2d.com, the HCC2D Encoder application, the open-source CLI encoder, or the Debian/Ubuntu packages provided through the official HCC2D APT repository. * Low-quality color printing may reduce decoding performance * Best results are achieved with screen-displayed or high-quality printed codes and a high-resolution autofocus camera. * One-dimensional barcodes are intentionally not supported. References: * Querini, M. (2010). Analisi e progettazione di codici bidimensionali ad alta capacitΓ . Sviluppo del lettore per gli ambienti desktop e mobile. Master's Thesis. https://librarysearch.uniroma2.it/discovery/fulldisplay?vid=39RM_2DUE:39RM2_VIEW&docid=alma990002339160402652&lang=en * Querini, M. (2010-2026). HCC2D Code Specification β€” Version 0.9.0. The specification is available on the official HCC2D website. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-ND 4.0). * Querini, M. and Italiano, G. F. (2014). Reliability and Data Density in High Capacity Color Barcodes. Computer Science and Information Systems, 11(4), 1595-1615. * Querini, M., Grillo, A., Lentini, A., and Italiano, G. F. (2011). 2D Color Barcodes for Mobile Phones. IJCSA, 8(1), 136-155. Notice: This application is an independent personal project and is not affiliated with any organization or institution.

About

Ham Imaging

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Ham Imaging is the picture side of amateur radio. Hold your phone to any receiver's speaker and watch slow-scan television pictures decode live, or transmit your own with your callsign printed on them β€” no interface box, no cables, no computer. RECEIVE β€’ Live SSTV decode straight from your radio's audio through the device microphone β€’ Automatic mode detection from the VIS header β€” leave it on Auto and the picture just appears β€’ 20 modes decoded and encoded: Scottie 1, 2, 3, 4 and DX; Martin 1, 2 and 3; Robot 12, 24, 36 and 72; PD 50, 90, 120, 160, 180, 240 and 290; and Wraase SC2-180 β€’ A live tuning meter and signal-confidence readout so you can peak the audio before the picture starts β€’ Slant correction for the small clock differences that make a picture lean β€’ The picture paints in as it arrives β€” you do not have to wait for the end of the frame TRANSMIT β€’ Send any photo from your camera or gallery as an SSTV picture β€’ Optional overlay printing your callsign, grid and a free text line onto the image β€’ Pick the mode to suit the band and the time you have β€’ A progress bar tracks the transmission, and you can cancel at any point β€’ Putting a signal on the air stays your decision β€” the app makes the tones, you key the radio GALLERY & LOGGING β€’ Everything you receive or send is kept together on the device with its mode and UTC time β€’ Share a watermarked copy anywhere β€’ Clean export β€” a plain copy at 800 px, exactly the format ARISS asks for in award submissions β€’ Copy an ADIF line to paste an SSTV contact straight into Ham Logging or your desktop logger β€’ Delete a single picture or clear the whole gallery. Nothing is ever uploaded BUILT FOR THE SHACK β€’ Works fully offline β€” decoding and encoding never need an internet connection β€’ Light and dark themes, adjustable font size, weekly tips and in-app version history β€’ Your callsign and grid stay on your device β€’ No account, no ads, no analytics and no tracking PERFECT FOR β€’ Operators working the HF SSTV picture nets β€’ Anyone chasing ISS / ARISS SSTV events and award submissions β€’ Shortwave listeners who want to see what those warbling tones actually are β€’ Newcomers who want to try SSTV without buying an interface β€’ Clubs demonstrating amateur radio to visitors and students PRIVACY β€’ Your callsign, grid and email are stored only on your device. β€’ No account, no sign-up, no ads, no analytics SDKs, no advertising ID and no tracking of any kind. 73 de A41UX Yousuf AL Balushi β€” Unixeer, Oman

Screenshots

HCC2D Decoder4 screens
Ham Imaging4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is device support: Ham Imaging at 3 against HCC2D Decoder's 1. Ham Imaging also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

HCC2D Decoder ships an update fortnightly, Ham Imaging every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on September 17, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences Β· 4 level
HCC2D Decoder versus Ham Imaging: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHCC2D DecoderHam Imaging
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 10 days β€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, iPod β€” better
Requires iOS17.015.0 β€” better
Further details β€” not scored
Size8 MB25 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMarco QueriniYousif AL Balushi

In-app purchases

None

HCC2D Decoder

No in-app purchases

None

Ham Imaging

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is HCC2D Decoder free?
HCC2D Decoder is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Ham Imaging free?
Ham Imaging is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do HCC2D Decoder or Ham Imaging have ads?
Neither HCC2D Decoder nor Ham Imaging shows ads.
Which is updated more often, HCC2D Decoder or Ham Imaging?
HCC2D Decoder ships an update fortnightly, and Ham Imaging every 10 days. Most recently, HCC2D Decoder was updated on September 17, 2026 and Ham Imaging on September 29, 2026.

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